.:The Benefits of Being Kind Towards One's Parents:.
Her name was Sugar*, a name that encompassed the sweetness that she stood for. She always approached me with a smile, and I would gladly return it.
"Go away; just go away," Sugar screamed at the top of her lungs. I could not believe that those words just left the mouth of such a sweet girl. The comment was directed towards her mother, Barbara*. Barbara did not do anything to provoke Sugar; I believe Barbara was there to pick Sugar up from theatre practice, a kind gesture typical of a mother. My heart was broken; Barbara, nor any other parent, deserved this kind of treatment. Yet, at schools, stores and homes, this is the type of treatment I saw. Children, young and an old, need to act righteously towards their parents because their good actions shall be beneficial in the future.
First of all, children must act righteous towards their parents in order to receive their blessings from and God's blessings. Several months after I saw the clash between Sugar and her mother, I reported the incident to my mom. My mom replied,
"Her mom was probably thinking, 'Go to Hell,' after her daughter humiliated her in front of the school. God never ignores the angst of a Mother. But she (Barbara) did not say anything out of worry that she may humiliate her daughter as well." My mom is a wonderful mother. Of all the people I have ever met, my mom has the biggest heart, and if my mother would think, "Go to hell" towards her daughter in the midst of an argument, a majority of mothers would think or act in a way that is much worse. A parent's love is such a blessing. I would feel more secure if I left my home knowing the my parents thought well of me. This is because, if a child wins the heart of a parent, then the parent prays for nothing but good for the child, but if a child wins the angst of a parent, then the parent prays for God to curse her child (Chaudhry). In addition, if a child acts righteously towards her parents, then God's blessings are upon that child, for she fulfilled one of an important Islamic obligation (el-Ashi). Kindness towards one's parents proves to be beneficial to a child in the fact that she will recieve blessings from both the parents and God.
Furthermore, by acting kindly towards one's parents, a child's stresses are decreased. There have been numerous occassions in which my friends have been suffered from the situations that occured at home. Usually, those situations were "normal" and did not involve any physical violence. For example, my friend, Melissa* came to me about an incidence she had with her mom. The two got into an argument, and within that argument, feelings of trust were lost. Now Melissa had to come home to her mother each night with the consequences of the arguement hanging over her head. In another example, my little sister's 7th grade friend slapped her mother in the face out of anger. By acting kindly towards one's parents and respecting their wishes, these situations can be avoided and make a child's life at home much more pleasant. In addition, if a daily stress is brought home, loving parents will help ease the pain of the situation if they are on good terms with their child. For example, during the fall of 2003, I came home exhausted from Cross Country practice. My mom recognized this feeling, and after each practice, she drove me home, gave me a back massage with massage oils, dinner in bed and offered to help me with my homework. As retribution, I spend some nights massaging my mother. As one can see, kindness towards one's parents produces various benefits.
Finally, a beloved child receives material things from their parents. For example, my Aunt was the most beloved child of my grandfather. Because of the love my grandfather had for my aunt, he always took her side in arguments, thought of her as a responsible child, etc. Also, children often seek the help of their parents after college. Many children believe they will be "free" of their parents after they settle themselves; more often than not, this is not the case. For instance, my English teacher who was engaged in graduate courses during my 2002-2003 school year lived with his parents. That situation resulted in a substantially higher income for him, as he did not have to pay living expenses, and provided more time for him to be in the company of his parents. In all honesty, after college, I will probably ask to live with my parents because at the time, my income will be minimum, as I have been just released into the job market, and my expenses will be paid for. In another instance, my Aunty Fatima* is about 30 years old, earns a living and resides with her husband and two beautiful children in an apartment. Although my Aunt works, she is in need of someone to care of her two children. Because, my aunt and her mother are on good terms, she takes care of the two children for long hours, everyday and free of charge. In addition, not one of my elderly relatives are in nursing home; they live their are always moving, loved and cared for. Hence, if a child acts kindly toward her parents, then both child and parent will receive material benefits now and in the future.
In essence, children of all ages need to act righteously towards their parents because their good actions will benefit them in the future. "Stupid teenagers" may be a correct term for the children who disrepect their parents, because those will be loosing numerous blessings, both tangible and spiritual.